Leonora Okarma Weaver

Restoration of Antique Prints, Maps, & Fine Art

Decatur, Georgia, USA

(404) 371-8197

About Leonora

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Restoration

Hand Coloring

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Examples of Restoration of Paper

 

“Queen and Empire”

 

Before

 

 

After

 

This large, hand colored  steel engraving shows Queen Victoria reviewing the Empire Troops.

With fine original hand coloring this print had to be cleaned with caution. Any loss of color would have been very unfortunate. First all surface dirt was removed, deacidification came next and then, careful cleaning. After months of work it was finally completed with no loss of color.

 

 

 

Map of Great Britain  by John Speed

 

 

Before

 

 

 

After

 

 

This map,originally from an atlas, had been badly water stained, and badly framed, and as a result the entire page was discolored.

After surface cleaning and then deacidification much of the staining was removed.

The client wished me to hand color the map so that it matched up to the other maps in his collection.

I researched the map, in the British Museum, taking careful note of the pigments used during the period and the manner in which it was applied. I was able to “reproduce” a very authentic coloring.

There are some arguments that modern hand coloring can decrease the value of a map or print. Certainly if the coloring were badly done, this would be the case, but my pieces are frequently mistaken for old coloring--I take that as a compliment!

 

 

 

 

 

"Spirit of 1776"

Before

After

This image shows how a bad framing can cause damage.Vertical streaks were caused by the original wooden planking boards and where breaks in the board had occured.Atmospheric  pollution and acid from the wood was absorbed into the paper.But after cleaning and deacidifying it is back to its pristine self.

 

 

 

 "Last meeting of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson"

Before

After

 

Done on bad wood pulp paper,this print was very brittle, with age and acid. Very careful handling was required when this was cleaned and deacidified.It was then backed onto Japanese paper,so that it could be handled with confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 "Retour au Chateau...Poste Anglaise"

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Before

After

 

This print shows typical acid burn esulting from poor choices in matting and framing materials--you can especiall see the burn around the title of the piece.With skillful handling, these acid burns can be safely removed.

 

 

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